The dystrophin glycoprotein complex: signaling strength and integrity for the sarcolemma

Circ Res. 2004 Apr 30;94(8):1023-31. doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000126574.61061.25.

Abstract

The dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC) is a specialization of cardiac and skeletal muscle membrane. This large multicomponent complex has both mechanical stabilizing and signaling roles in mediating interactions between the cytoskeleton, membrane, and extracellular matrix. Dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne and X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy locus, links cytoskeletal and membrane elements. Mutations in additional DGC genes, the sarcoglycans, also lead to cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy. Animal models of DGC mutants have shown that destabilization of the DGC leads to membrane fragility and loss of membrane integrity, resulting in degeneration of skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes. Vascular reactivity is altered in response to primary degeneration in striated myocytes and arises from a vascular smooth muscle cell-extrinsic mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / genetics
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / therapy
  • Caveolin 3
  • Caveolins / physiology
  • Cricetinae
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / chemistry
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology*
  • Dystroglycans
  • Dystrophin / chemistry
  • Dystrophin / genetics
  • Dystrophin / physiology*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Laminin / genetics
  • Laminin / physiology
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Mesocricetus
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Muscle, Skeletal / ultrastructure
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / metabolism
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / metabolism
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / therapy
  • Myocardium / ultrastructure
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Neuropeptides / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Sarcolemma / physiology*
  • Sarcolemma / ultrastructure
  • Sarcomeres / chemistry
  • Sarcomeres / ultrastructure
  • Stem Cell Transplantation

Substances

  • Cav3 protein, mouse
  • Caveolin 3
  • Caveolins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DAG1 protein, human
  • Dystrophin
  • Laminin
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • laminin alpha 2
  • Dystroglycans
  • NOS1 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Nos1 protein, mouse